These interesting rifles have been manufactured mainly in the 1930’s in Germany by Carl Walther.

Sadly we couldn’t find any more detailed information on production numbers and exact time frame.

But there seems to be some confusion on the model designations.

We’ve seen both variants designated [...]]]> The Walther self-loading rifles Model 1 and 2

These interesting rifles have been manufactured mainly in the 1930’s in Germany by Carl Walther.

Sadly we couldn’t find any more detailed information on production numbers and exact time frame.

But there seems to be some confusion on the model designations.

We’ve seen both variants designated as either Model  1 or 2.

But we will stick with the manufacturers designation as used in our video linked at the end of this post.

The Model 1 with sliding tang safety, shorter stock (fore end), shorter thinner barrel and folding type rear sight.

The Model 2 with 3 position lever type safety, longer military type stock (fore end), heavier longer barrel and sliding type rear sight graduated up to 200m.

http://www.carlwalther.com/hunting.htm

Model 1

http://www.carlwalther.com/images/r_modell_1.jpg

Model 2

http://www.carlwalther.com/images/r_modell_2.jpg

And here the parts diagram as shown in the video from the same website:

http://www.carlwalther.com/views/ev_r_modell1.htm

Here independently from safety (all sliding tang safety) called Model 1 or 2, depending on stock/barrel configuration:

https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/52342-158-397/

WALTHER MODEL 2. SN 38667

WALTHER MOD 1. SN 12152

WALTHER MODEL 2. SN 11193

Since it is possible to combine upper and lower receiver of each model with each stock/barrel combo, there either might have been some mixed parts models coming directly from the factory or they were later assembled that way from leftover parts.

We will stick with the designation as used in the original parts diagram linked above.

Walther Model 2 (in the video incorrectly referred to as Model 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V75zay8n0So

WALTHER Model 2 (actually Model 1) No. 35654 (muzzle threaded)

http://www.hermann-historica-archiv.de/auktion/hhm59.pl?f=NR_LOT&c=1411&t=temartic_S_D&db=kat59_s.txt

Walther Model 2 (actually a Model 1): No. 5658

https://www.icollector.com/Walther-Mod-2-22-LR-mag-fed-bolt-action-semi-auto-Rifle-w-20-bbl-either-manually-operated-repeat_i20797156

Walther Model 2: No. 14448

https://www.icollector.com/Walther-Mod-2-22-LR-cal-mag-fed-bolt-action-semi-auto-Rifle-w-24-bbl-unusual-Walther-design-can_i20797157

The highest serial number on  the Model 1 we’ve seen is 35654 and on the Model 2 it’s 38667 (see above – if it is a Model 2).Which would indicate that both models were manufactured parallel. Not as sometimes claimed first the Model 1 and later the Model 2.

The extension on the hammer of the Model 1 is also an indicator for both models being manufactured at the same time. Otherwise why would you introduce a feature like that on the “first manufactured”model where it doesn’t serve any purpose?

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Model 2 rear sight graduated in varying steps of 20, 25 or 30 meters.

Pic 4

Pic 5

Pic 6

Pic 7

Such oldies should not be used with modern HV ammo. In this case CCI Mini Mags Varmint.

I use these in all semi-autos that won’t work reliably with other .22 ammo.

The shells bulged pretty “nicely” in the feed ramp area.

In the demo video standard velocity ammo was used and worked just fine.

Additionally it’s not the most rugged design. The bolt assembly is stopped on it’s rearward travel by the bolt handle hitting against the upper receiver. That can cause the bolt handle (brazed/soldered to the bolt carrier) to break off.

Pic 8a

Pic 8b

Lower receiver Model 1 (below) and on top the Model 2 with the lacking cut-out for the sliding safety.

Pic 8c

Model 1, upper, lower, barrel.

Pic 9

Rear end of the barrel damaged by firing pin protruding too much (dry firing with empty chamber).

Model 2 left, Model 1 right.

Pic 10

Upper receiver assembly. Model 2 left, Model 1 right, with newly made firing pin assembly.

The Model 1 bolt here also has an additional cut-out parallel to the firing pin channel which brings the weight of the bolt assembly down from 156g to 147g. This Model 1 also features a shorter recoil spring.

The Model 1 bolt uses a bearing ball instead of the plunger at the Model 2. Not sure if done at the factory or a simple replacement after the original plunger got lost.

Pic 11

Rear side of the bolt assembly. Model 1 on top, Model 2 below.

Pic 12

A 9 shot magazine (left side) and a 5 shot magazine (right side) was available for both rifles.

The 9 shot magazine is missing the base plate lock plate and the spring doesn’t seem to be original since it is fully compressed after loading 7 rounds. We’ll find another one that gives us the full magazine capacity.

Pic 13

How it all started. Front part of firing pin made from  the shank of a 9/64 drill bit, the rear part from a broken file.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Making/editing the video, doing the research on these rifles and writing the post was way more time consuming than making those spare parts.

The butt stock is a sterling sub-machine gun which folds up and latches just like the original.

A pistol grip from a MG-42. [...]]]> Gordie K. ,a friend of gun lab, sent some pictures of a little belt fed fun gun he has made. The upper receiver is a Lakeside machine razor back upper.

The butt stock is a sterling sub-machine gun which folds up and latches just like the original.

A pistol grip from a MG-42. The lower receiver machined block of steel.

A barrel jacket from a PPSh 41

The action is like a miniature 1919.

This just looks like fun.

First the interesting write up at the firearm blob.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/13/east-german-kk-mpi-69-22-lr-trainers-wild/

Now for some additional pictures of [...]]]> I came across this write at The Firearms Blog. I have always found the East German KK-MPI-69 to be an interesting rifle. I thought I would go into a little more depth on the parts of this fascinating trainer.

First the interesting write up at the firearm blob.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/13/east-german-kk-mpi-69-22-lr-trainers-wild/

Now for some additional pictures of the rifle and some of it’s components.

The rifle and 5 magazines. Note the differences in bottom plates on the magazines. I have found two different magazines over the years.

Rear trunion

Front upper and lower hand guard.

Front barrel band.

A complete bolt

This plate hold the 22 lr magazine in alignment and also hold the ejector.

The inside working of the rifle.

Top cover. Totally different them a normal rifle.

The recoil system.

A series of pictures on a cut front section. I bought some of these a few years back before I found a complete one.

An incomplete bolt.